Portugal Stuns Denmark in Handball Showdown: A 31-29 Upset
In a stunning turn of events on Tuesday, Portugal delivered a significant upset in the handball European Championship, defeating tournament favorites and hosts Denmark by a score of 31-29. This unexpected victory sets the stage for a rematch against Norway in the tournament’s main round.
Portugal entered the match knowing they had to avoid a major loss to maintain their position over North Macedonia and secure advancement. Instead, they delivered a thrilling performance, ultimately handing Denmark a grim start with no points in the standings. “A complete disaster,” was how Ekstra Bladet, a Danish tabloid, characterized the outcome. The same publication described the evening as “the worst possible scenario” for head coach Nikolaj Jacobsen’s squad.
Despite the disappointment, Jacobsen acknowledged Portugal’s merit, stating, “We must recognize that they earned a deserving victory.” He added that while the loss was significant, they must not let it overshadow their identity as a team.
Leading Portugal’s charge were brothers Francisco and Martim Costa, each netting nine goals in an electrifying play that had the Danish squad reeling. Viaplay’s handball expert Ole Erevik remarked, “This is a shock result that will resonate across handball Europe for a long time.”
Denmark’s defeat was compounded by Mathias Gidsel’s post-match reflections. The two-time world’s best player expressed his dissatisfaction, labeling the loss “a bad experience” despite contributing eight goals. Denmark now faces a must-win situation against France in their next match on Thursday if they hope to progress to the semi-finals.
“The Denmark that the entire handball community had expected to see in the semi-finals is now facing immense pressure,” Erevik remarked. National team manager Jacobsen termed the upcoming clash against France “a massive match” against a top-tier team.
Historically, Denmark has been a dominant force, clinching four consecutive World Cups and earning Olympic gold in 2024. However, the last European Championship win dates back to 2012. Last year, Portugal dealt Norway a similar blow, defeating them in a heartbreakingly pivotal match that derailed Norway’s hopes of advancing in the World Cup, making Tuesday’s victory for Portugal particularly sweet.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Denmark’s upcoming performance. Will they rebound from this shocking setback? Only time will tell.
